30 Nov 2016

Vice President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has implored senior citizens to learn from the Every Child Has A Dream Foundation.

Mr Masisi said this at the launch of the foundation at Phakalane Golf Estate recently.

“I am pleased to be launching a wonderful display of patriotism at its best, I cannot think of any example of patriotism which is amplified by this foundation.

This is a perfect patriotism commitment. It is a mission endeavoured, a commitment and a desire to change that convinced me to associate myself with and I will do anything to support it,” he said.

He said the initiative challenged “us” to nature our conscious and find out where “we” are and what could be done.

He also said there was need for advocacy for those who bring parents to exercise commensurate responsibility, adding that the state was more than ready to step in.

For her part, United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) representative, Ms Julianna Lindsey said it was encouraging that ordinary citizens have taken the initiative to care for the poorest in society.

“I particularly want to congratulate you for recognising through your focus on children who do not have shoes to attend school that in the midst of the sparkling diamond wealth of Botswana, great inequalities remain,” adding that founders of Every Child Has A Dream were compelled by the disparities in Botswana.

She said the founders were also compelled by a realisation that the government alone could not provide solutions to all the challenges that were faced by society.

“Government has over the years ensured that there is strong infrastructure for the education of children across the country. In addition, there is improved health service which ensures children’s health and wellness. Continued poverty and inequality in Botswana are not necessarily due to lack of infrastructure or lack of services. In fact, having lived in five African countries during the last 20 years, I am impressed

with the infrastructure and services that Botswana provides,” she added.

Ms Lindsey said it was appropriate that once children have shoes on their feet, it was important to also think about nurturing the soft side of development.

“The launch of this foundation is an incredible start on the road to reducing all kinds of poverty,” she said.

A member of Every Child Has A Dream Foundation said the project was the brainchild of Ms Chandapiwa Baputaki, who started the initiative in 2011 at the time when she was a reporter with Mmegi newspaper. ENDS